The Climate Of Albania
For such a small country and area, Albania has many different climatic regions. The climate of the highlands has a continental influence, while the lowlands are usually dominated by Mediterranean weather. In both the interior and the lowlands, there are variations in the weather from the south to the north.

The lowlands enjoy mild winters. The typical daytime temperature is around 7°C. The temperature in the summer averages at around 24°C, but at times can get to 30°C or higher. Throughout the year, the temperatures in the southern lowlands average approximately five degrees higher. During the summer, the difference in temperature is more than five degrees and during the winter it is somewhat less. The coastal areas have higher average summer temperatures and Albania's mountainous regions have much lower temperatures during the summer. However, there are greater daily fluctuations. In the river valleys and interior basins, maximum daytime temperatures are quite high. However, it is usually quite cool at night.

The average precipitation for the area is quite heavy. The central uplands experience the heaviest rain falls. Frequent thunderstorms are caused by the Mediterranean air being uplifted by vertical currents. Torrential downpours and high local winds often accompany these storms. Some of the thunderstorms can be quite heavy locally, with very strong winds and large hail, that can cause local flash-floods and major damage.

Rainfall averages in the lowlands range from 1,000 millimeters to over 1,500 millimeters every year. The higher levels are experienced in the north. Close to 95 percent of the annual rain fall occurs in the winter. The upland mountain ranges experience heavier rainfall. However, there are no reliable records available for the area, and the estimates vary a lot. The annual average is probably around 1,800 millimeters and in some of the northern areas up to 2,550 millimeters. The area doesn't experience as great of seasonal variations as the coastal area does.

Less precipitation is received by the higher inland mountains than the intermediate uplands. Differences in terrain cause wide variations between locales. However, it has the most consistent seasonal distribution of all the areas.